I have had my 98' Ford Taurus for almost a year. I haven't had any major issues. Well today, a car ran me off the road. The ran onto a sidewalk. I got out of my car and green fluid was coming from the car. I was told it was my radiator.

So my radiator busted. I finally got it towed to my house and my uncle put water in my coolant tank. and it came straight out, all on the drivers side. I also notice a small leak under the coolant tank. Like I said the major leak was on the left side of the car. (driver's side)

It is still drivable.

So I called 3 different places: -Midas said 375 avg. for a new radiator. 300 for labor=675 estimate
-Another auto repair shop said the same their total came to about 700.
-The auto repair shop, told me to got to Autozone and get a Radiator for about 175.00 and they will put it in for about 80 dollars.

What i want to know it, why the difference in price from the other shops?

Do it your self. Jack up the car(on jack stands) and start taking the underside apart. Start with the black cover and then remove the lower hose. Then the transmission lines. Pull the cooling fans out. Remove the upper hose. The radiator comes out the bottom. There's probably a bit more to it, but I've only done one genIII. and I literally ripped it apart, for scrap.

first of all, you car is not driveable. you can overheat the engine if there is no liquid in the cooling system. you need to have someone look if there is more damage. 80$ for labor to replace radiator seems to be cheap.... ~$500 (labor + parts) is normal price in the shops around here. Do you have AAA membership? If yes then call the shops around and find a place that can look at the car, ask them in advance how much they will charge you if anything at all, then have the car towed there, they will give you a quote, then call places around and see if their price is reasonable, if not - say thank you and have the car towed.

first of all, you car is not driveable. you can overheat the engine if there is no liquid in the cooling system. you need to have someone look if there is more damage. 80$ for labor to replace radiator seems to be cheap.... ~$500 (labor + parts) is normal price in the shops around here. Do you have AAA membership? If yes then call the shops around and find a place that can look at the car, ask them in advance how much they will charge you if anything at all, then have the car towed there, they will give you a quote, then call places around and see if their price is reasonable, if not - say thank you and have the car towed.
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agreed. Vulcans are tough, but not that tough. your gonna crack the water jacket.

i paid about $150 at autozone for a new radiator a year ago. My husband put it in my '94 wagon, 3.8 with my help. It was not a big project. there's not a lot of room for your wrenches when replacing the transmission cooling tubes. just take your time. An afternoon project.

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